The Bertha Widows Empowerment Center in Kumba is making a tangible difference in the lives of widows, helping them transform their grief into growth and find joy once more.
According to the Promoter of the Center, Bertha Eyong, a widow, she established the institution to uplift and support women who have faced similar hardships. “The center, driven by a mission to amplify the voices of widows, provides vital training and resources to help them rebuild their lives.”
Eyong, a nurse by profession, disclosed that through seminars and workshops, women learn essential skills such as poultry farming, home economics, cookery, soap-making, sewing, and computer literacy. She said the center’s holistic approach also includes follow-up support, ensuring that the women can apply their newfound skills to sustain themselves and their families. “We want to give them the power to be strong,” Eyong says, explaining the center’s core objective. “Our main goal is to provide basic support for their daily lives.”
The Promoter added that the impact of the center is palpable. “During holidays, the center’s departments buzz with activity as women bring their children to learn trades. The sewing and computer departments are particularly popular. This gives me a sense of fulfillment and joy.”
Despite the challenges, including financial constraints and the difficulties faced by elderly widows, the center perseveres. Eyong appreciated her Coordinator, Epole Metuge Evelyn, for playing a vital role in ensuring the center’s smooth operation. Eyong’s message to the women is clear: “Believe in yourselves and be proud of who you are. You can and you will.”
Also, Coordinator Epole added that they have empowered over 50 widows in poultry farming, firewood business, offering pesticides, insecticides, and yearly seedlings during planting season. “We also offer startup capital to these widows for small businesses. Our center offers free training in tailoring, computer secretaryship, and catering services. We pray for more partners to support our initiative so that we can do more to empower widows.”
Located on Preventive Street, Kumba, Epole disclosed that Bertha Widows Empowerment Center stands as a beacon of hope for widows in Kumba and beyond, demonstrating the transformative power of community and support. “Eyong’s story shows that when women empower women, lives are forever changed,” she testified.
By Olive Ejang
